Healthy and Safe Swimming

Many Iowans this summer season will be taking full advantage of the warm weather, sunshine, and swimming pool fun! It is important to remember that when visiting public swimming pools, water parks, recreational lakes, or even in your own backyard pool or wading pool to practice healthy swimming behaviors. Taking on healthy and safe swimming behaviors can help keep you, your family, and other swimmers healthy.

Prevent Disease:

Scott County Health Department asks all swimmers to follow these simple steps to help keep the water clean, safe, and fun.

• PLEASE don’t swim when you are sick, especially when you have diarrhea
• PLEASE don’t swallow the pool water
• PLEASE shower before entering the pool
• PLEASE take bathroom breaks often—change diapers in bathroom and not at poolside
• PLEASE wash hands after using the toilet.
• PLEASE use sunscreen to protect your skin
• PLEASE do not use blow-up toys in place of life preservers

Prevent Injury:

Drowning is the leading cause of injury death in children 1 to 4 years of age (CDC Childhood Injury Report 2000-2006). Death and injuries can be prevented if good water safety is practiced.

Scott County Health Department encourages adults to make swimming safer for children by:

• Directly supervising all young children and non-swimmers that you bring to the pool, even when lifeguards are provided.
• Keeping children under the age of 5 within arm’s reach whenever in or around the water.
• Teaching children to swim. Formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning.
• Using lifejackets for non-swimmers.
• Avoiding alcohol use while swimming or supervising children.
• Providing fences around swimming pools and spas.